Patent Application
20050120602
The present invention relates to a window-like display with a snow effect, and in particular a window-like snow display with a recycling system to provide the illusion of continuous snow fall.
Conventional window-like displays most often use a pair of spaced panes sealed on their ends so the space between the panes can be filled with a fluid, such as water. Particles contained in the fluid float downward like a snowfall, and are recycled to the top of the display to give the effect of continuous snowfall. Some displays use a shaking system to recycle the particles, while others use a pumping system to create a recycling, and still others use air to force bubbles, particles and fluid to recycle.
Still another window-like display with simulated snowfall uses an air pump for recycling imitation snow from the bottom of the display to the top. The display has a front pane and a spaced back panel. There is a receptacle at the bottom of the display, which has an opening into the space between the front pane and the back panel. The receptacle is connected to an air blower that has a conduit to a funnel near the top of the display. The funnel is shaped to direct the circulating imitation snow into the top of the space between the front pane and the back panel. One problem with this type of display is there is no way to interrupt the airflow, therefore, the circulating imitation snow is forced downward instead of floating downward as with nature's snowfall.
The present invention provides a display that simulates snowfall, where a fan circulates the imitation snow and the flow is interrupted in three distinct ways so that the appearance of the falling snow is both heavy and light. The invention has one or more front panes, which are transparent, and a spaced rear pane that may be opaque or transparent. The front of the display looks like a window; in fact, the display is either hung on a wall to further the illusion of a window and snow falling or, hung in a window. The snow falls between the front pane or panes and the rear pane. When the snow reaches the bottom of the display, it fills a trough having a half round cross-section. A rotating vane of a size large enough to rotate within the trough and come close to the inside surface of the trough without actually touching it. The end of the vane in the trough has a shut-off cap, which can rotate into the trough to close one end. A circulating fan at the same end of the trough circulates snow in the trough through a conduit to the area at the top of the display. The circulating fan is constantly operating, therefore, to interrupt air circulation through the trough and allow snow to collect on the vane; the air shut off rotates into the front of the fan.
In the daytime, this very light realistic looking window hangs in your window. It is 4 feet tall by 3 feet wide and only 3 inches thick. There are 2 plexi glass windowpanes on the front and one large one on the back. At the flick of a switch we get the illusion of snow falling between the windowpanes. Because the artificial window is right up against your window, we see right through it into your yard where it appears to be snowing. Regardless of where you live, whether it's Christmas day or a hot day in June, you can have a snowy winter day or evening.
The same window for evening and night use has the back piece of plexi glass taken off and replaced with a translucent or black backdrop. It also comes with curtains and an attachable windowsill. It will hang on your wall perhaps in the place of a painting. It looks like a real window but when turned on gives the illusion of a cold snowy evening. To make the window seem even more realistic, you might want to make your own curtains for the window matching the others in your living room or room of your choice. Next to the Christmas tree, the artificial snow window is the ultimate Christmas decoration.
The process by which the artificial snow recycles works as follows:
At the bottom of the window between the two plexiglass panes is a trough or half cylinder. At one end of the trough there is an attached fan. At the other end there is attached tubing going up the left side of the window to the top. The trough has a lid or vane, which extends the entire length of the trough. When the artificial snow is poured into a hatch at the top left corner of the window, most of it will fall to the bottom and land on the trough lid. The trough lid is driven by a motor, which is on a timer. The motor will turn the trough lid or vane one complete revolution every 4 seconds. This allows the artificial snow to fall through into the trough. The fan at one end of the trough blows air through the trough constantly. This constant air force carries the artificial snow up the tubing to the top where it dispenses then recycles. As the trough or vane lid is turning to allow more snow to enter the trough, an air block fin also is moving from being on top of the trough to inside the trough where it blocks the air flow so that no artificial snow can blow upward and out of the trough. When the trough lid turns back to close off the trough, the air block fin is now back on top of the trough, which will allow the air flow to continue to blow through the trough and carry the artificial snow up the tubing to be dispensed. About one third of the artificial snow that dispenses from the tubing will land on the three-quarter inch storage vane which extends between two side guide walls 31. These guide walls confine the snow area bounded by the front and rear panes and the side walls. The storage vane lies about six inches below where the artificial snow dispenses. This artificial snow accumulates on the vane for brief seconds when the trough lid or vane (below) has the air block fin in a position (on top) where the air can blow through the trough and carry the artificial snow to the top. At that moment the cylinder vane revolves and raises to it's highest point during which time, the storage release bar trips the storage tray to release the artificial snow. After it empties, the vane automatically falls back to the load position.
Just above the halfway point and built into the Styrofoam wall is the storm fan. Not only will the fan give the effect of a snowstorm, but also it will assist in directing the artificial snow downward into the trough to be recycled.
In nature, precipitation never falls in a uniform pattern. The artificial snow window produces the same natural effect for the following reasons:
Hence, the effect is quite realistic.
It is the object of this invention to provide a window like display with an air and imitation snow circulation system providing a viewer with the feeling of snowfall at any time of day or night or any season.
a is a cross section view of a rotating vane operating a dispensing vane;
b is a side view of the dispensing vane;
a-9d show the cycling of the dispensing vane;
Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 10, there is shown in
A second embodiment is shown is
The system, which stimulates snowfall, works with either the embodiment of
The vane 48 rotates one complete revolution every four seconds.
While the vane 48 is cycling through its different positions, the snow flows through the display and through the trough 26. In
As the vane 48 rotates, the accumulated snow on it dumps when the cylinder vane turns to it's highest point, which corresponds to
a shows an operating rod 58.
The lower end of rod 58 has an arcuate shaped follower 64 which rides on the vane edge 66 so that each time the vane 48 is in the position of
In operation, the display 20 is hung on a wall to simulate a window. The electrical unit is plugged into a wall outlet, turning on the circulating system. Snow is dispensed from the top left corner of conduit onto storage vane. The snow that falls past the storage vane (as it is only {fraction (3/4)} inch wide) is directed downward via fan motor “84” giving it a realistic appearance. When the snow reaches the bottom of the display 20, it either collects on the vane 48 or falls into trough 26. Snow, which collects on the vane 48, is dumped into the trough 26 as the vane rotates into the trough. An electric motor 54 is connected to a fan, which blows snow from the trough through a conduit 30 back to space 34. The shut off cap 56 on vane 48 rotates into trough 26 shutting off airflow while snow collects on the vane. When the vane 48 dumps the snow, shut off cap 56 opens the trough 26 to permit snow flow. At the same time the edge 66 of the vane 48 contacts the rod which trips open vane 38. The vane 38 repeats its cycle every four seconds, creating the appearance of snow.
While only some embodiments of the invention have been explained, other embodiments may be realized. For example, gears or a direct drive could replace the pulleys and pulley belt. Other mean could replace the vane operating rod without departing from the invention. For a complete understanding of the invention one should look to the drawings, description and claims for a full understanding of the invention.
